What is Merit-based Scholarship?

The merit based scholarships are the financial grants that meritorious students with exceptional academic profile receive for completing their college degree. These scholarships consider your academics, participation in athletics & arts and leadership qualities to grant you a financial award. Students do not need to repay the financial amount they receive as a merit scholarship.

The merit based scholarships are awarded by colleges, universities, private organisations, businesses and government bodies to attract high-performing students into their respective institutions. The merit-based scholarships are awarded for high GPAs, good standardised test scores, artistic talent or active participation in community service. Thus, unlike the need-based scholarships, the selection criterion of the merit-based scholarships is not the family income of the applicant. You may check the differences between need-based and merit-based scholarships here. 

The merit based scholarships differ in the form of their funding. These can be either a small award provided at the beginning of the course once, or they may even cover the full costs of education for students. Some merit based scholarships may be renewable under certain conditions - providing funds for multiple years. The most common condition for this case is that the student maintains a certain GPA or meets specific criteria every year till the completion of their degree. Read this article to learn more about what is a merit based scholarship.

What are Merit Based Scholarships?

Merit based scholarships are the grants that are offered to highly meritorious students to support the expenses of their higher education. These scholarships are awarded to students on the basis of their academic achievements, talent, leadership skills, or other measurable qualities - none of which are dependent on the financial situation of the student. The main aim of providing these merit based scholarships include - 

• rewarding the hard work and accomplishments of students
• attracting high calibre students 
• reducing financial burden from hard working students 

The merit based scholarship rewards what a student has done or shown potential to do rather than what their family earns or cannot afford. And as it is a “scholarship”, the amount that the students receive do not need to get repaid. These are the "free money" that can cover tuition, living expenses, books, travel, or all of the above for concerned students. You may also check some fully funded scholarships to study abroad.

Selection Criteria of Merit Based Scholarships

The merit based scholarships are awarded based on some parameters and if a student’s profile covers all these criteria, they become eligible and most likely to be considered by the universities for merit-based scholarships. 

Some of the most common criteria on the basis of which the merit based scholarships are provided are- 

1. Overall academic performance 

2. Participation in national-level competitions and having won an award

3. Creative talent - Portfolio-based merit in arts, music, film, design, architecture, or creative writing programs.

4. Leadership capabilities

5. For research master’s and PhD applicants - Published papers, conference presentations, patents or significant research contributions 

6. Excellence in sports - Sports talent recognised at state or national level

The funding bodies are looking for one or more of these criteria in a profile and if a profile matches any of these criteria, it has high chances of getting chosen for this scholarship. You may also check the Indian government scholarships to study abroad.

What are the Different Types of Merit-Based Scholarships?

There are different types of scholarships on merit basis- distinguished on the basis of their 

1. Funding provider

2. Coverage

3. Purpose

4. Renewal conditions

Below we have listed several different types of merit-based scholarships for Indian students. 

How to Apply for Merit Based Scholarships?

To apply and receive a suitable scholarship for yourself, you must follow the below-given steps. 

1. Start researching and finding suitable scholarships at least 18 to 24 months before the date of starting of your course. This is because most scholarships have deadlines 12-18 months before the actual course begins. So in that case, you need to be aware and just be ready when the application window actually opens. Research scholarships that are specific to your course and university. Check which documents and exams are required for your scholarship

2. Take the standardised tests like GRE/GMAT/IELTS/TOEFL in time as their results delivery may take time and you may be required to retake the exam if the scores you receive are not enough in the first attempt

3. Write a strong SOP and tailor it according to the specific values of your scholarship. For example, Chevening wants leadership qualities, Fulbright-Nehru values US-India exchange impact and DAAD prioritises research and Germany connection. Here, one-size-fits-all SOPs may lose you a big time

4. Request LORs from professors or managers who know your work deeply. You can also provide them a summary of your achievements for their reference. Give at least 4-6 weeks notice for this.

5. Many scholarships require a conditional or unconditional offer letter from a university before you can apply. So apply to a university first, in time, and then apply for a scholarship

6. Prepare for scholarship interview

Read here to know more details on how to get a scholarship to study abroad.

Top Merit-Based Scholarships for Indian Students Abroad

The ones below are the most prestigious and accessible merit-based scholarships that Indian students have historically won and can actively target for 2026 and beyond.

1. Chevening Scholarships - UK:

2. Fulbright-Nehru Fellowship - USA

3. Australia Awards Scholarship - Australia 

4. DAAD Scholarship - Germany

5. Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarship - Canada

6. NUS/NTU Merit Scholarships - Singapore

7. Holland Scholarship - Netherlands

8. Inlaks Shivdasani Foundation Scholarship - Indian origin scholarship provided to students for studying in top countries

What is Merit Based Scholarship FAQs